Mat.



PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905.

G. F. DOBBLER.

MATE

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. a, 1905.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HENRY P. MARTIN, OF BROOKLYN, NENV YORK.

MAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

Application filed March 3, 1905. Serial No. 248,343.

T0 at Ll/72 0712 it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHAnLns F. DOEBLER, a citizen of the United'States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York,-have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of metallic mats whose construction comprises a series of links formed from bent strips or lengths of ribbon-like sheet metal, the links being assembled in rows and each row being pivotally connected to the contiguous row.

Essential features of the present improvements relate to the configuration or form of the links, the manner in which the links are assembled in the mat, the means employed for giving a finish to the outer edges of the latter, &e.

The general figure of the single link constituting a component of the present mat is that of an elongated rectanglethat is, one having a greater length than width. The link is closed at one end and open at the other, and each side of the link presents an inwardlyfacing channel or trough member and a similarly outwardly-facing member, these two being integral with each other. The relation of these link members is such that the two inwardly-facing members open in opposite directions, and similarly the two outwardlyfacing members open in opposite directions. The inwardly-facing member of a companion link is adapted to fit within the space of the outwardly-facing member of the link in contact with which it lies, and the transverselyextending portions of the sides of the link (which portions give to such sides the formation of oppositely-opening channel or trough shaped members) are perforated for the reception of longitudinal pivot-rods on which the rows of links may be strung. A partially-inclosed space is present in each link, and I may when thought desirable fit thereinto a tread part-such as a block of rubber, composition, &c.and for the purpose of strengthening the link I may bend portions thereof, as will be manifest in the detail description hereinafter given. These various features, together with others embraced in the improvements. are set forth in the drawings accompanying the specification, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of a complete mat. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a straight finishing link having turned-over edges. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a flat link used in conjunction with the link indicated in Fig. 2 as a finish for the opposite ends of the mat. Fig. 4: is likewise a perspective view of one of a trough-shape link or fiat link having transversely-bent ends for finishing the sides of the mat. Fig. 5 is a similar view of that modification in which tread-blocks are secured within the body of the mat, constituting a portion of the tread-surface thereof. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the tread-blocks.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all figures.

The present mat is made up of an assemblage of links disposed in rows which are swiveled upon connecting rods extending from end to end of the mat. Each of the links comprised in the body portion of the mat is substantially like every other link thereof, and the detail description of one will be understood to apply to all.

The general form of the link is that of a rectangle having a greater length than width and open along one of its ends. Each side of the link is so bent or formed to pres. i1 configuration of a trough or channel inward (this portion lying contiguous to the closed end of the link) and a similar part or member integral with the former, but opening outward. In other words, extending from the closed end 2 of the link are side portions 3 3, whose length is substantially equal to half the length of the link. At the end of each part 3 is an inwardly-extending part i, from whose end extends a part 5, terminating in a transversely-extending end part 6. The parts 2, 4i, and 6 are disposed substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the link. Portions of the metal strip forming the latter may be bent either for ornamental or strengthening purposes, or both. In the particular link-figure indicated in the drawings the end 2 is provided with a reentrant angle 7, and the part 5 is likewise in the form of an inwardly-extending V.

The openings in the links through which the parallelly-disposed connecting-rods 8 are run are in the parts 2, 4E, and 6, and in assembling the links are disposed in rows, with the links all pointing in the same direction, contiguous rows being pivotally connected together by these rods. The general construction described permits one row to be so disposed as to be oppositely related to each contiguous row (with reference to the direction in which the open ends of the links point, as indicated in Fig. 1.) This will permit one row to somewhat overlap the contiguous row and to be connected therewith by the connecting-rods which pass through alining perforations. In this relation it is apparent that the parts 2, 3, and 4 at one side of one link extends into the space defined by the parts 4, 5, and 6 at one side of one of the links of the contiguous row with which it is in contact. It is to be understood, of course, that the dimensions of the links are such as to permit of the arrangement or disposition specified.

By placing the proper number of links in a row and assembling therewith a sufficient number of rows a mat of the required dimensions may be constructed.

Preferably some sort of finish will be given to the ends and sides of the mat. That herein indicated may be adopted in which a fiat bar 9, perforated at its end portions to receive the pivot-rods, is located at that end of each row of'links which terminates in a link whose closed end is contiguous to the edge of the mat. The protruding ends of the rods 8 8 are bent over inwardly toward each other and against the surface of the finish-link Whose longitudinal edges (the link being of sufiicient width to permit of this) are turned over inwardly to cover the turned-in ends of the rods. The opposite ends of the rows may be finished with perforated fiat links 10, slipped over the connecting-rods before the two im- 1 v'ia'tely contiguous longitudinally bent are placed in position. 111efinish for the sides of the mat here consists of fiat links 11, having laterally-bent ends 12 12, perforated and engaged with the connecting-rods at the sides of the mat in the assembled relation substantially indicated in Fig. 1. Links 9, 10, and 11 may be corrugated longitudinally, (see corrugation 13,) and this method of strengthening may likewise be employed throughout the mat, if desired.

Under some circumstances it may be desirable to provide the mat with additional treadsurface, such as that presented by blocks of composition, rubber, &c. WVhen such a mat construction is desired, blocks of proper material molded or formed to the figuration at the closed end of each link may be fitted into the space thereat, the blocks being perforated for the reception of the connecting rods. This construction is illustrated in Fig. 5, in which blocks 13 of rubber are secured within the spaces specified. Either one or both tread-surfaces of these blocks may be serrated or ridged. (See Fig. 6.) If both surfaces are so formed, the mat will present the same appearance whichever side is placed upward.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A link for a mat, the same being bent to a general rectangular form, and having sides each presenting an inwardly-facing trough or channel shape member and a similar outwardly-facing member, each such troughshape member having ends extending substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link.

2. A link for a mat the same comprising a length of metallic ribbon bent to a general rectangular form closed at one end and whose sides each comprise an inwardly facing trough-shape member lying adjacent to the closed end of the link and an outwardly-facing similar member at the opposite end of the link, each such trough-shape member having ends extending substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link.

8. In a mat, a link having an end from which extend parallel side parts bent inwardly at substantially a right angle to said parallel side parts at approximately the middle of the link, then, extending longitudinally thereof and forming inwardly-pointing V parts having ends extending laterally outward.

4. In a mat, alink having a reentering end from which extend parallel side parts bent inwardly at substantially a right angle to said parallel side parts at approximately the middle of the link, then extending longitudinally thereof and forming inwardly-pointing V parts having ends extending laterally outward.

5. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link bent to a general rectangular form closed at one end and whose sides comprise an inwardly-facing trough-shape member lying adjacent to the closed end of the link and an outwardly-facing similar member at the opposite end of the link, each such member having ends extending substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link, and said inwardly-facing members of the links of one row fitting into said outwardly-facing members of the contiguous row, combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat.

6. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link having a reentering end from which extend parallel side parts bent inwardly at substantially a right angle to said parallel side parts at approximately the middle of the link, then extending longitudinally thereof and forming inwardly-pointing V parts having ends extending laterally outward, the links of one row fitting into the links of the contiguous row substantially as described combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat. v

7. A finish-link for a mat, the same comprising a flat body having a perforation adj acent to each end and whose longitudinal edges are bent over toward each other and down against the body of the link, said bentover longitudinal edges being separated somewhat from each other.

8. A mat comprising pivot-rods having turned-over ends, combined with finish-links each comprising a fiat body having a perforation adjacent to each end for the passage of the pivot-rods and whose longitudinal edges are bent over toward the outside of the mat and down against the body of the link, said bent-over longitudinal edges being separated somewhat from each other.

9. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link bent to a general rectangular form closed at one end and whose sides each comprise an inwardly-facin trough-shape member lying adjacent to the closed end of the link and an outwardly-facing similar member at the opposite end of the link, each such trough-shape member having ends extending substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link and said inwardly facing members of the links of one row fitting into said outwardly-facing members of the contiguous row, combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat and a finish for the edges of the mat comprising finishlinks having longitudinal edges bent over toward each other to cover the turned-over ends of the rods.

10. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link bent to a general rectangular form closed at one end and whose sides each comprise an inwardly-facing trough-shape member lying adjacent to the closed end of the link and an outwardly-facing similar member at the opposite end of the link, each such trough-shape member having ends extending substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link, and said inwardly-facing members of the links of one row fitting into said outwardly-facing members of the contiguous row, combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat and tread-blocks secured by the pivotrods in the open space oi each link.

11. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link bent to a general rectangular form closed at one end and whose sides each comprise an inwardlyfacing trough-shape member lying adjacent to the closed end of the link and an outwardly-facing similar member at the opposite end of the link, said inwardly-facing members of the links of one row fitting into said outwardly-facing members of the contiguous row, combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat, a finish for the edges of the mat comprising finish-links having longitudinal edges bent over toward each other to cover the turned-over ends of the rods and treadblocks secured by the pivot-rods in the open space of each link.

12. In a mat, an assemblage of rows of links each link having a reentering end from which extend parallel side parts bent inwardly at substantially the middle of the link, then extending longitudinally thereof and forming inwardly-pointing V parts having outwardly-extending ends, the links of one row fitting into the links of the contiguous row substantially as described, combined with pivot-rods running from end to end of the mat, and a finish for the edges of the mat comprising finish-links having longitudinal edges bent over toward each other to cover the turned-over ends of the rods.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES F. DOEBLER.

Witnesses:

PIERSON L. WELLS, GERTRUDE FINGER 

